Classes
I am taking three classes this semester.
- Microelectronics covers how CMOS circuits work. It is a lot of basic electronics stuff. Everyone in the class has covered it before in their electrical engineering coursework, except for me. However, I worked hard and earned the highest grade in the class on the first midterm.
- RF and Microwave Electronics uses wave equations and is more confusing than the other classes. We learned how to use a Smith Chart, which is a great way to estimate how to build an impedance matching network. There are also labs where we simulate radio circuits. I did very well on the midterm and have received perfect grades on my labs, even though my friends seem to be doing better work.
- Microfabrication and Nanotechnology is my favorite class this semester. It explains how to manufacture integrated circuits. It covers the process of cleaning silicon wafers, growing silicon dioxide, using photolithograpic masks, building nanostructures, ion implantation, etc. The math is very simple; it is all algebra. The hardest part is memorizing a lot of terms, processes, and chemical formula. However, someone (me) is very good at that.
Weekend Stuff
It seems every weekend is busy. Last weekend I was in the desert to work on the relay race for my volunteer job. My part of it went well, but there were some serious problems caused by putting everything off to the last minute by many key people. Before that, I saw Terrance and Erin who were in town and celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Ryan and company.
Spiritual Exercises
In January I started attending a program on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola at a local church. A few of my friends from Beach Newman are taking them there as well. I meet with my friends every week to talk about them. Doing all of the daily meditations and contemplations takes a lot of time. However, I like how it is forcing me to order my time better. I am getting up early every day, going to mass, and completing the stuff. They are having a great effect on me.
Beach Newman
Related to this is how things with the Catholic club at Long Beach are going. There are a few people who live on campus who generously swipe people into the dinning hall. Last week I had dinner there on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. This is us having dinner last week.
I see these people a lot. On Monday I meet for dinner with three of my friends who are doing the Spiritual Exercises, on Wednesday we have our normal meeting and prayer group, and on Thursday we have Bible study, where I end up answering a lot of people's questions. Apparently I know a lot.
We had a big pro-life event last week. I was prepared for a negative backlash, but a lot of people were positive and civil when talking to us. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a normal Berkeley response I was preparing for, it was a 3.
I have been involved with the leadership of a lot of student clubs in the past. From this, I have developed a sense of who will make a good leader for a group, sometimes months before the person realizes it. I have realized I am the person who will be leading club next year, unless I step back. There is only one other person who I think would be interested in the job, but he has been a bad officer in the club. A lot of people do not even know who he is. From my experience at Berkeley, I know exactly what needs to be done in the club. I have brought in some great ideas so far, and people realize everything I say is right on. I will also have a lot of time on my hands only working on my project.
Rest of Spring Break
On Wednesday I will be going for a local hike, as long as the rain does not muddy things. On Thursday I will be driving up to Berkeley for some alumni events which will be a lot of fun. I get to see people I have not seen in almost a year, plus a few I saw last month.
I am living the life and enjoying it!
